Lexus GS 300/GS 430

Comments

I was told by a dealer in Chicago that the Mark Levinson System was not available on the GS300 AWD. When I try to configure a GS300 on the Lexus.com, it does NOT give me that option package for the Chicago area Zip Codes. But when I configure one using my old New Orleans zip code, it gives me the option of having ML on a GS300. :confuse: I am confused. Why is it not an option in the Chicago land area?

I have heard really great things about ML and would like to have it. My question - Is the base system sufficient? The Lexus website says it has only 134 watts compared to 300 watts in the Mk Lev system. It seems like a big difference to me! Can anyone with the base system comment on its performance?

For tall/long-waisted drivers: I'm afraid all GS's off the boat will have the sunroof. You would have to special-order one without it. If you're bumping your head, you'll have to either go for the M or hope Lexus addresses the cabin space issue in the 07 model year.

For those looking at price: looks like several posters here including me found they could get the no-nav GS300 for under $42k. My car definitely has the rear sun shade, moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, mats, and cargo net.

Re. driving experience, the car is smooth as silk and has plenty of power for real-world needs with the V6. It's fairly efficient, too: I'm getting a real-world 20mpg city, 27 highway. I prefer the quiet, luxurious ride of this car to the competitors.

The car is great personal transport, but is somewhat impractical due to the space concerns. Let's hope the engineers are reading this and will do something about the headroom, rear seat, and trunk space issues. My suggestions:

1. Raise the roof line 1/2 inch and lower the drivers seat 1/2 inch.2. Increase the wheelbase a bit more to make say 1-2 inches more legroom in back.3. Deepen the trunk by removing the spare and making run-flats standard. (Presumably the hybrid batteries would go under the rear seats.)4. Possibly lengthen the car a bit in the rear to improve the space and the trunk opening.5. Are fold-down rear seats out of the question? Is a lift-back out of the question? Either or both of those changes would eliminate most real-world cargo concerns.

I think the hybrid version of the GS in 07 is gonna be killer. If only they could improve the utility of the car a bit more per my earlier suggestions, it would be an all-around winner. Did I forget to mention the car is gorgeous in Flint Mica?

I wonder what Lexus was thinking when they designed the new GS? A lot of folks (myself included) are disappointed with the very small dimensions and high price. The LS430 answers with better dimensions/value (for about the same price after discounts) and all the same Lexus perks. Those that do not need or want the those extra dimensions or V8 are going to get the new sporty IS.

Previously those that wanted the sporty car but need more size skipped the IS for the GS. Those that needed a good size sedan but needed more sport skipped the LS for the GS. The GS does not have the size advantage over the new IS and the performance/price of the GS430 is essentially nil over the LS.

Enter in real competition from Infiniti, Audi and Acura...where will the GS be after this initial infatuation ends?

That is also what I am being told here in Scottsdale for one on order. Have not tried to negotiate on an in stock 430 although they have tried to get me to switch colors and purchase each time I have been there.

Just picked a GS430 2006 model-what a dream-color is Flint Mica, so they are available. Local dealer gave me the kelly trade in value for my 2003 E320 and took $2000.00 of the MSRP. He discounted when I told him if he did not I would buy the 2006 version of the MB E-320

I personally went through all of the pricing last month at the dealer and leased an LS430. I previously wrote of my subsequent LS purchase due to the disappointments with the 2006 GS here. My LS430 specific pricing negotiations are in the Lexus LS Prices Paid March area of edmunds.com as well.

For those living in the midwest, the GS300 is available with the NAVI alone, without the ML. I saw this on several cars this weekend at several dealerships. Problem is they were all AWD. It's possible the NAVI is going to be limited to the AWD for a time and not avilable at all on the RWD. The alternative, I guess, is a factory order, 3 months.

Thanks much to Boxter and dmcmahon. I may take a more serious look at the LS430. Do you think they are as willing to deal on the purchase of an LS430 as they are to lease? My dealer has about 12-15 LS430s but only 2 GS300/430.

Hello all, I've been following the discussion as I am choosing between the GS 300 AWD and the Infiniti M35x as well. I recently test drove both cars. I have seen here that many thought the M was a the 'driver's' car and I expected that as well when I walked into the Inifiniti dealer. But I have to tell you, I drove the AWD M for about 20 minutes and thought it was plain mush. Loose steering, especially at low speeds. The engine sounds great when you step on the gas pedal, but I sensed a real lag before the car lurched foward. I currently drive a BMW 3-series, so I've come to expect immediate feedback from the car. I drove the GS a few weeks ago, and while it was no BMW, I thought the ride was pretty nice. Feedback at low speeds was muted, but it wasn't mushy, and the car responded very well on the highway. Personally, I think BMW would clean up in this part of the market if they made the 5 series AWD, got rid of the dreaded iDrive system, and redesigned the car to look more like the new 2006 3-series.

Unfortunately, they don't seem to be that smart. I am strongly considering the GS. Can anyone else comment on the handling/response of driving the GS 300 AWD?

Been into audio systems, big time, for years. Gotta' say the ML's out-damn-standing! Awsome! Try it; you'll like it! The base system's not bad but once your ears are subject to the ML, you'll throw stones at the base. Trust me . . . if you're not ready to "blow the bucks", don't even think about listening to the ML.

For all you tall guys out there, it might seem like a good idea to get the GS w/o the sunroof, which would provide more headroom.

A good idea, that is, until you try to sell or trade it. Dealers will tell you they can't sell that car without a sunroof, and you'll take a tremendous hit. The sunroof is what you might call a mandatory option (oxymoron!). You gotta have it. It's like standard equipment--at extra cost!

On that transmission, by the way, it's different from the ES, which is a 5-speed vs. the GS 6-speed. Having driven a couple of GSs, the shifts are quick and seamless.

"The first thing I learned from my uncle who used to sell cars for a living is to negotiate from invoice up, not MSRP down."

Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to the 2006 GS at this point in time. Nearly every redesigned Lexus goes for list or close to it in its first six months or so because of demand. There is little room to negotiate because if you don't pay sticker (or pay sticker less $500, etc.) the next guy will.

Yes, they were quite motivated to deal on the LS. My dealer also had a dozen or so LS430s on the lot. Something makes me think that they want to move as many LS's as possible to get/keep their quota high so as to get their fair share of the hot future 07 LS's.

Notably, I was high on the waiting list for an 06GS at the time and they knew they could easily move 'my' GS at list. I also got a great money factor from Lexus for my lease. It is my belief that the dealer does not care who actually 'buys' the car -you (cash) or the bank for leasing/financing.

Good luck! I still strongly believe I made the best choice for me all considered.

Have you actually "seen" the Ash Leather with the Black Birds-Eye Maple? It's what we have in our Flint-Mica and . . . . we think it's SMASHING! We have a similar combination in a Mercedes and we love it. Have had it for 3 years, haven't grown tired of it and continue to gets lots of compliments on that look.

I strongly agree with your statement. I made a similar statement on this forum a week or so ago. I am willing to wait 6 months or so to get my GS300. I think I will get mine for $3500 to $4000 of MSRP. I have already spoken to 2 salespersons at 2 dealers and they have said after the hype wears off a bit and the supply catches up with the demand the discounts will kick in. If there was only a $4500 mark up from invoice like BMW (5 series) with no holdback I would be comfortable with a smaller discount. When there is a $7000 mark up and a holdback I think I that is excessive. Lexus models do get discounted just look at the current LS430 and the RX330. If you buy a GS300 now at MSRP, the GS350 comes out in as a 2007 I feel that you will take much more then a $10,000 hit in 2 yrs. I trade my cars every two years or so because of mileage considerations thus this is an issue for me. I currently have a 2004 RX330 and have had RX300 and a GS300 before that.

I drove all three cars as well and like the ride of the GS the best. I like the extra room in the M but the ride was so harsh on roads that were not smooth (most of them where I live). Any larger bumps produce a real bang. For the roads I drive on the most, the M would not be a good choice. Yea, the engine sounds nice ripping thru the gears but I really don't want to hear that all the time. Sounds like a race car not a Luxury car.